Separable wood shim assembly and method of making the same

ABSTRACT

A separable wood shim assembly for providing wood shims of selectable width is provided. The assembly has two wedge-shaped wood shims superposed so that they taper along a same direction. A breakable connector, such as a thin strip of wood, joins the contiguous surfaces of both shims. In this manner, the assembly my be used easily as either a simple or double-width shim. There are also provided a bundle of wood shim assemblies, a convenient bag to wrap this bundle and an advantageous method to make the wood shim assemblies.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The invention relates to shims, and more particularly toseparable double-width shims and to a method for making the same.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Typically, shims are wedge-shaped strips of wood with a thickedge and an opposite tapered edge. Shims are commonly used in theconstruction industry during installation of fixtures, for example, forlevering windows or doors.

[0003] It is known in the art to make bundles of shims that areconnected together side by side such as in U.S. Pat. No. 4,336,879(CARR). CARR discloses that during manufacture of the shims, a smallstrip of wood can be left between adjacent shims in order to keep theshims together during transport. This small strip of wood is easilybreakable by a user when shims are needed.

[0004] It is also known to make bundles of stacked shims connectedtogether by a strip of wood extending along opposite upper and lowerfaces of two shims. Such stacked shims are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos.5,163,255 and 4,909,294, both to GAMBA. GAMBA's bundles of shims arestacked in alternate opposite directions so that each neighbouring shimis complementary to its neighbour. Accordingly, the thick edge of a shimis oriented towards the tapered edge of another shim so that the twoconnected shims together form a rectangular shape.

[0005] A drawback with the bundles of shims disclosed in theabove-mentioned patents is that in practice, the user must firstseparate, then stack, and finally align properly together two shims toobtain a double-width shim for use to tighten, secure and/or lever afixture. There is therefore a need for wood shims having a selectablethickness to alleviate this drawback.

OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] It is an object of the present invention to provide separablewood shims which may be easily used in single or double-width.

[0007] Another object of the invention is to provide a bundle of suchseparable shims.

[0008] Yet another object of the invention is to provide a method formaking said separable shims.

[0009] In accordance with a first aspect of the invention, there isprovided a separable wood shim assembly including first and secondwedge-shaped wood shims. Each of these wood shims has a bottom face anda top face extending between thick and tapered opposite ends. The firstwood shim is superposed to the second wood shim so that they aretapering along a same direction. The assembly also includes a breakableconnector connecting the bottom face of the first wood shim to the topface of the second wood shim.

[0010] According to a second aspect of the present invention, there isprovided a bundle of wood shims, including at least one row of separablewood shim assemblies. Each assembly has first and second wedge-shapedwood shims, each having a bottom face and a top face extending betweenthick and tapered opposite ends, the first wood shim being superposed tothe second wood shim tapering along a same direction. Each assemblyfurther includes a breakable connector connecting the bottom face of thefirst wood shim to the top face of the second wood shim. The row of woodshim assemblies is arranged with the wood shims of neighbouringassemblies tapering in opposite directions.

[0011] According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided amethod for making separable wood shim assemblies, including the stepsof:

[0012] a) providing a rectangular piece of wood;

[0013] b) making a set of two substantially parallel partial cutsobliquely across a length of the rectangular piece of wood, each cutextending partially through opposite sides of the rectangular piece ofwood and leaving a thin strip of wood therein; and

[0014] c) making a full cut obliquely across the length of therectangular piece of wood between the two partial cuts, therebyseparating the rectangular piece of wood in two separable wood shimassemblies.

[0015] Finally, in accordance with yet another aspect of the invention,there is provided another method for making separable wood shimassemblies, comprising the steps of:

[0016] a) providing a rectangular piece of wood;

[0017] b) making a set of two substantially parallel partial cutsobliquely across a length of the rectangular piece of wood, each cutextending partially through opposite sides of the rectangular piece ofwood and leaving a thin strip of wood therein; and

[0018] c) making an additional partial cut obliquely across the lengthof the rectangular piece of wood between said partial cuts, saidadditional partial cut extending partially through opposite sides of therectangular piece of wood and leaving an additional thin strip of woodtherein, said separable wood shim assemblies extending on either side ofsaid additional thin strip of wood.

[0019] Other objects and advantages of the present invention will beapparent upon reading the following non-restrictive description ofpreferred embodiments, made with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020]FIG. 1 is a perspective side elevational view showing arectangular piece of wood from which two pairs of shims according to thepresent invention are to be made.

[0021]FIG. 2 is a perspective side elevational view showing cuts made inthe piece of wood of FIG. 1 to obtain shims according to the presentinvention.

[0022]FIG. 3 is a perspective side elevational view showing two sets ofsuperposed separable shims pointing in opposite directions.

[0023]FIG. 4 is a perspective side elevational view showing one of thetwo pairs of superposed separable shims of FIG. 3 with one of the shimsbeing separated.

[0024]FIGS. 5 and 6 are perspective side elevational and rearelevational views showing the cuts made in the piece of wood of FIG. 1to obtain shims according to the present invention.

[0025]FIG. 7 is a perspective side elevational view showing a smallbundle of shims comprising eight sets of stacked shims as shown in FIG.3.

[0026]FIG. 8 is a perspective side elevational view showing a packagecomprising twelve small bundles of shims as shown in FIG. 7.

[0027]FIG. 9 is a perspective side elevational view showing a bag forpackaging shims.

[0028]FIG. 10 is a perspective side elevational view showing the bag ofFIG. 9 in use.

[0029] The same reference numerals have been used in all the figures todenote the same or similar components.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

[0030] As aforesaid, the present invention relates to separable shims,to a method of making the same and to a bundle of separable shims.

[0031] Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, there is shown a separable wood shimassembly (18) according to a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention. The assembly includes a first and a second wedge-shaped woodshim (10,12). Each of these shims (10,12) has a bottom face (16) and atop face (14), which extends between thick and tapered opposite ends(17,19). When assembled, as shown in FIG. 3, the first wood shim (10) issuperposed to the second wood shim (12) tapering along the samedirection, that is, that the thick ends (17) of both wood shims (10,12)are aligned together. Similarly, the tapered ends (19) of the first andsecond wood shims (10,12) are also in alignment. In practice, the twowood shims (10,12) of a same assembly are not of equal length andthickness, as a result of the imprecision of the manufacturing process.It is understood that the precise and relative dimensions of the twowood shims (10,12) are not material to the present invention, whichsimply requires that the two shims are wedge-shaped and taper in thesame direction.

[0032] The assembly (18) also includes a breakable connector (15),preferably embodied by a thin strip of wood. Although shown here asextending centrally along the entire length of the wood shims, it isunderstood it could also be provided off the central axis or bedifferently shaped, as long as it accomplishes the function of joiningboth shims together. In this way, a pair of shims can be used togetherto form a double-width shim (18), or be separated to define twosingle-width shims (10) and (12), as shown in FIG. 4.

[0033] It is understood that the present invention may easily beextended to wood shim assemblies having more than two superposed woodshims, to give a larger choice of thickness obtainable from a singleassembly.

[0034] Referring to FIGS. 1, 2, 5 and 6 there is illustrated a method tomake separable shim assemblies according to another aspect of thepresent invention. In accordance with this method, a rectangular pieceof wood (20) is provided from which two separable wood shim assemblies(18) are to be made. Two partial cuts (22,24), substantially parallel toeach other, are made across the length of the piece of wood (20). Thesecuts extend partially through opposite sides of the rectangular piece ofwood, preferably by two superposed saws, so that they leave parallelstrips (15) of wood extending along the middle of the piece of wood(20). Each partial cut (22,24) preferably extends from the mid-point ofthe width of the piece of wood at one end of a corner of the oppositeend, as better seen in FIG. 5. However, a great precision in the cuttingoperations is not necessary for the purposes of the present invention.Afterwards, another oblique cut (26) is made, between the two obliquecuts (22,24), from one corner of the piece of wood (20) to the oppositeoblique corner of the same piece for completely separating the piece ofwood (20) into two halves. The result is two sets of double shims asexplained before. Of course, one could choose to not completely separatethe piece of wood (20) into two halves by making the second cut (26) insuch a way that it extends only partially through the piece of wood (20)for leaving therein a strip of wood (21).

[0035] Preferably, the pieces of wood (20) which are used for making theshims are small pieces of wood measuring 11½×1¼×⅞ inches. The remainingstrips (15) of wood are preferably {fraction (1/64)} inch thick.Preferably also, the piece of wood (20) is made of cedar but otherspecies of wood may also be used such as fir and spruce.

[0036] Once made, the double-width shims (18) are stacked upon eachother for packaging, forming a bundle (28) according to another aspectof the present invention. Preferably, the separable wood shim assembliesare assembled in rows (34), each row (34) being arranged with the woodshims of neighbouring assemblies tapering in opposite directions therebyforming together a bundle (28) of a rectangular shape, as shown in FIG.7. Preferably, a row (34) of bundle (28) includes eight separable shimassemblies (18), as shown in FIG. 7. The shims assemblies (18) of onerow (34) are also preferably held together using an adhesive tape (30).Even more preferably, the shims (18) are shipped in packages of severalrows (34) assembled together with a sticking strap (32), as shown inFIG. 8. Typically, bundles of twelve rows are for example packaged inthis manner.

[0037] Advantageously, the bundles of the present invention may bewrapped in a plastic bag (50). As better shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, thebag (50) is preferably generally rectangular in shape and has a topportion (52) which remains empty when the bag is filled with the bundleof wood shim assemblies. Preferably, the top portion (52) can be torn soas to be open and then hinge on one of its sides (56). The top portion(52) preferably has a hole (54) made therein, which can be providedprior to packaging or after opening of the bag (50). The hole (54) isusable as a hook to hang the bag (50) from a construction belt (60), asbest shown in FIG. 10. In this manner, the user can easily removeindividual shims (10) from the bag (50) hanging at his belt (60).

[0038] Preferably, the bag (50) is dimensioned for receiving a largebundle (28) of shims according to the present invention and shown inFIG. 7. Typically, the “storage” portion of the bag measures 11½×3×2½inches. It is made of material that is sufficiently resistant so thatthe shim does not tear it. Preferably, the bag is made of a transparentplastic material such as polyethylene.

[0039] Of course, numerous modifications could be made to theembodiments above without departing from the scope of the invention asdefined in the appended claims.

1. A separable wood shim assembly, comprising: first and secondwedge-shaped wood shims, each having a bottom face and a top faceextending between thick and tapered opposite ends, said first wood shimbeing superposed to said second wood shim tapering along a samedirection; and a breakable connector connecting the bottom face of thefirst wood shim to the top face of the second wood shim.
 2. Theseparable wood shim assembly according to claim 1, wherein saidbreakable connector comprises a thin strip of wood extending along saidbottom face of the first wood shim and top face of the second wood shim.3. The separable wood shim assembly according to claim 1, wherein saidfirst and second wood shims are made of a species of wood selected fromthe group consisting of cedar, fir and spruce.
 4. A bundle of woodshims, comprising: at least one row of separable wood shim assemblies,each assembly comprising first and second wedge-shaped wood shims, eachhaving a bottom face and a top face extending between thick and taperedopposite ends, said first wood shim being superposed to said second woodshim tapering along a same direction, each assembly further comprising abreakable connector connecting the bottom face of the first wood shim tothe top face of the second wood shim, said row being arranged with thewood shims of neighbouring assemblies tapering in opposite directions.5. The bundle of wood shims according to claim 4, wherein the breakableconnector of each wood shim assembly comprises a thin strip of woodextending along the bottom face of the first wood shim and top face ofthe second wood shim.
 6. The bundle of wood shims according to claim 4,further comprising a piece of adhesive tape attaching the wood shimassemblies of a row together.
 7. The bundle of wood shims according toclaim 6, comprising a plurality of said rows of wood shims disposedlaterally adjacent to each other.
 8. The bundle of wood shims accordingto claim 7, comprising a piece of sticking strap attaching said rows ofwood shims together.
 9. The bundle of wood shims according to claim 4,further comprising a bag wrapping said rows of separable wood shimassemblies.
 10. The bundle of wood shims according to claim 9, whereinsaid bag is made of plastic.
 11. The bundle of wood shims according toclaim 9, wherein said bag is rectangular-shaped.
 12. The bundle of woodshims according to claim 11, wherein said bag has an empty top portionwhen the rows of separable wood shim assemblies are wrapped therein, theempty top portion being partially tearable to access said shimassemblies.
 13. The bundle of wood shims according to claim 12, whereinsaid top panel has a hooking hole therein.
 14. A method for makingseparable wood shim assemblies, comprising the steps of: a) providing arectangular piece of wood; b) making a set of two substantially parallelpartial cuts obliquely across a length of the rectangular piece of wood,each cut extending partially through opposite sides of the rectangularpiece of wood and leaving a thin strip of wood therein; and c) making afull cut obliquely across the length of the rectangular piece of woodbetween said partial cuts, thereby separating the rectangular piece ofwood into two separable wood shim assemblies.
 15. The method accordingto claim 14, wherein the rectangular piece of wood provided in step a)measures 11½×1¼×⅞ inches.
 16. The method according to claim 14, whereinstep b) comprises making said partial cuts with two superposed saws. 17.A method for making separable wood shim assemblies, comprising the stepsof: a) providing a rectangular piece of wood; b) making a set of twosubstantially parallel partial cuts obliquely across a length of therectangular piece of wood, each cut extending partially through oppositesides of the rectangular piece of wood and leaving a thin strip of woodtherein; and c) making an additional partial cut obliquely across thelength of the rectangular piece of wood between said partial cuts, saidadditional partial cut extending partially through opposite sides of therectangular piece of wood and leaving an additional thin strip of woodtherein, said separable wood shim assemblies extending on either side ofsaid additional thin strip of wood.
 18. The method according to claim17, wherein the rectangular piece of wood provided in step a) measures11½×1¼×⅞ inches.
 19. The method according to claim 17, wherein steps b)and c) comprises making said partial cuts with two superposed saws.